Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Highland, IL in 2026?
In Highland, IL, the average babysitter earns about $16.37 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $655/week or $2,837/month. Most Highland families pay somewhere in the $15–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$16.37/hr · Highland average
These numbers come from 31 live babysitter listings in Highland on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $655
- Monthly
- $2,837
- Annual
- $34,050
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Highland families pay somewhere in the $15–$20/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
01
Experience
Experience is one of the biggest levers on a babysitter's rate.
Nannies with 10+ years, or specialty skills like newborn care or multiple languages, typically command the highest hourly rates.
02
Number of kids
One child is the baseline. Each additional child usually adds $1–$2/hour. Twins and infants tend toward the high end.
+$1 to $2/hour per additional child
| 1 kid (baseline) | $16.37 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$17.37 |
| 3+ kids | ~$18.37+ |
03
Hours & schedule
Standard weekday daytime hours are easiest to staff. Early mornings, evenings, weekends, and last-minute coverage all push rates up.
10–20%premium for off-hours coverage
| Weekday 9–5 (standard) | — |
|---|---|
| Evening/weekend | +$2–4/hr |
| Last-minute | +$3–5/hr |
Also factor in: live-in vs. live-out · household duties beyond childcare · driving · cooking · travel.
How do Highland babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Highland sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.
Hiring babysitters in Highland, IL typically costs about 8% less than the Illinois average of $18/hour and 3% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Highland, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Highland, IL | $16/hr | — |
| Illinois | $18/hr | +8% |
| United States | $17/hr | +3% |
Where Highland, IL fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.28/hour in Champaign to $18.87/hour in Chicago.
Below: how each compares to the Highland, IL average of $16.37/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Highland, IL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $18.87 | +15% | |
| 2 | Naperville | $18.40 | +12% | |
| 3 | Aurora | $17.67 | +8% | |
| 4 | Plainfield | $17.63 | +8% | |
| 5 | Elgin | $17.24 | +5% | |
| 6 | Rockford | $16.68 | +2% | |
| 7 | Springfield | $16.57 | +1% | |
| 8 | Bloomington | $16.28 | -1% | |
| 9 | Peoria | $16.28 | -1% | |
| 10 | Champaign | $16.28 | -1% |
● Most expensive nearby: Chicago ($18.87)● Least expensive nearby: Champaign ($16.28)
Tips to find a great babysitter without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best babysitters on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced babysitters with 10+ years. References matter more than years.
- Consider a share. If your kids are similar ages and you live near another family, a share is the single biggest cost reduction available without compromising on care.
- Be specific about hours upfront. Most babysitters will take a slightly lower rate for a guaranteed steady schedule than for a higher-rate, unpredictable one.
- Bundle benefits thoughtfully. Two weeks PTO, a health stipend, transit passes, education assistance, or an annual raise commitment can help close the gap with families offering a higher hourly rate.
- Match rate to responsibilities. A higher rate often makes sense once you add cooking, errands, or driving. Don't compare apples to oranges across listings.
How to reduce nanny costs?
Split the cost of a nanny with another family
and enjoy flexible child care.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Highland, IL
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with babysitters — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Highland, IL
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the babysitters whose experience and rate match what you're looking for.
- 03
Schedule a phone call, then a paid trial day
Trial days feel awkward at first — that's normal. They're the best way to see how a babysitter fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your babysitter
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available babysitters in Highland, IL
31 active listings in Highland
Nanny Sydney
Nanny Sydney
Highland, IL
$18 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
I'm a graduate student pursuing pediatric therapy with a deep passion for supporting kiddos. I've been helping families care for kids since I was a teenager and have been able to expand my knowledge on childhood development through my studies. I have experience working with kids of all abilities and would love to help support your kids and family as well!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Rylee
Nanny Rylee
Highland, IL
$15/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Im a middle child. I have an older brother, little sister, and little brother.
i'm short, brown eyes, brown hair
i'm short, brown eyes, brown hair
Nanny Bailee
Nanny Bailee
Highland, IL
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience
A little bit about me
I am an online college student at SWIC currently. I show livestock all over the country and help with kids at shows. I have helped raise my little brother for many years. I’m willing to do almost anything to make a child happy!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Haley
Nanny Haley
Highland, IL
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
8 years experience
A little bit about me
I love to build a relationship with families and ensure parents know their child is in good hands with me!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny K
Nanny K
Highland, IL
$17/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
39 year old, mother of one daughter.
Oldest of 4 girls. I took care of all of them a lot growing up.
Oldest of 4 girls. I took care of all of them a lot growing up.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Makayla
Nanny Makayla
Highland, IL
$16.45/hr
Full-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello, my name is Makayla McMillan, I’m 18 years old and I’ve been working with young children, specifically those with disabilities, since 2017. I have been a daycare teacher assistant, managing customer service operations with a focus on empathy and efficiency, and I have collaborated in multidisciplinary teams to deliver personalized care plans. Even before that I would babysit my neighbors’ children as young as one year old. I’m looking for a challenge; I want to be a bridge between parents and their children. During development stages in childhood, children struggle with their emotions and may not know the right way to communicate effectively. My goal is to put those actions into words and help children learn to express themselves in a positive way. I will be going to college in the fall, specifically a week before August 21, but I will be available until then.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Kiersten
Nanny Kiersten
Highland, IL
$16/hr
Full-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, my names Kiersten and I have 5 years of experience in childcare. I absolutely love kids of all ages and am pursuing a degree in childcare. I’m available Full Time and am CPR, FIRST AID, and AED certified. I’m also an active Certified Nursing Assistant. I would love to babysit your kiddos. Message me. 😊
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Taylor
Nanny Taylor
Highland, IL
$17/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I love kids and pets! I’m a student at SIUE and just hoping to help out a family in the area when I don’t have classes 💜
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Hope
Nanny Hope
Highland, IL
$17/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I grew up taking care of children, and it has always been a passion of mine. I started volunteering in the nursery at my church at a very young age because my mom is the nursery director there. I helped take care of my younger siblings. I babysat for different families through out my high school years. I also love babysitting my friends baby who is 8 months old now, but I have been around her since she was born. I have not officially nannied before, but I would love to try out a part time nanny position. I am 22 years old and live in Highland, IL. I have been steadily employed for the past 6 years. I am going to school to earn a degree in Social Work. I’m a huge animal lover. I have 2 cats and a dog. I consider them my children more than as pets! I hope I get to meet an amazing family, and help them with their daily routines. I can’t wait to begin this new adventure of nannying.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs